Marcus Garvey (13810 hits)

Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Jr., National Hero of Jamaica, was a publisher, journalist, entrepreneur, Black nationalist, Pan-Africanist, and orator. Marcus Garvey was founder of the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League (UNIA-ACL).

Prior to the twentieth century, leaders such as Prince Hall, Martin Delany, Edward Wilmot Blyden, and Henry Highland Garnet advocated the involvement of the African diaspora in African affairs. Garvey was unique in advancing a Pan-African philosophy to inspire a global mass movement focusing on Africa known as Garveyism. Promoted by the UNIA as a movement of African Redemption, Garveyism would eventually inspire others, ranging from the Nation of Islam, to the Rastafari movement (which proclaims Garvey as a prophet). The intention of the movement was for those of African ancestry to "redeem" Africa and for the European colonial powers to leave it. The idea that African Americans should return to Africa was known as the Colonist Movement. His essential ideas about Africa were stated in an editorial in the Negro World entitled “African Fundamentalism” where he wrote: "Our union must know no clime, boundary, or nationality… let us hold together under all climes and in every country…"

Very inspiring, and informative thank you
Wednesday, February 25th 2009 at 9:24AM
Alton Clark

Greetings Friends,

Educational Management Associates, www.educationalmanagementassociates.com, has been given the honor of arranging speaking engagements starting the month of May 2009, for Dr. Julius Garvey, the son of the Honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey, founder of the Universal Negro Improvement Association of 1914.

Dr. Julius Garvey will be available for lectures to discuss the life of one of our most revered and greatest freedom fighters in America, his father.

"Where did the name of the organization come from? It was while speaking to a West Indian Negro who was a passenger with me from Southampton, who was returning home to the West Indies from Basutoland with his Basuto wife, that I further learned of the horrors of native life in Africa. He related to me in conversation such horrible and pitiable tales that my heart bled within me. Retiring from the conversation to my cabin, all day and the following night I pondered over the subject matter of that conversation, and at midnight, lying flat on my back, the vision and thought came to me that I should name the organization the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities (Imperial) League. Such a name I thought would embrace the purpose of all black humanity. Thus to the world a name was born, a movement created, and a man became known." Marcus Mosiah Garvey.

If you know of an organization that would like to have him share an important part of African American history contact: Okpara Nosakhere at okpara@aol.com. This would be an excellent opportunity to support your fund raising efforts. Peace!

Garvey is one of the most important figures in the history of the African Diaspora. It is good to see his works realized. Thanks for the highlight!
Monday, March 2nd 2009 at 2:37PM

Two quick points:

1. Garvey led the most successful modern movement of Black people ever. He got millions of Blk ppl to join the UNIA. In modern terms, that might equal tens of millions.

2. Much is said about the "Back to Africa" movement and whether it was a failure. It should be noted that Garvey paid in cash for land in Liberia to repatriate thousands of African Americans. Under pressure from the U.S. Gov't Liberia's president (Tubman) gave that money back to Garvey and LEASED 1,000,000 acres of land promised to the UNIA settlement land to Firestone Tire Company for $1 an ACRE, with a term of 100 years. Firestone, was barely a real company, and was formed for the express purpose of ruining Marcus Garvey, who has already escaped political attacks several times. This new company exploiting the local rubber plant and built a tire company. Of course there is speculation that the Garvey might have built an economic empire creating rubber products (he had enough capital to build a company as large as any white man at the time) and this is why the gov't helped white businessmen form Firestone.
Tuesday, March 24th 2009 at 9:16AM

Wow...I actually get an opposite reaction in my African American History class about Garvey. That he was an extremeist who considered the KKK friends of the Black race. Didn't he call DuBois out saying he was a traitor to his people?
Wednesday, May 6th 2009 at 5:20PM
Lucia Garcia

I learned things about Garvey that i didn't know about. He actually seems like a good guy, even though in my history class he was perceived as an extremeist rather than an advocate.
Monday, February 22nd 2010 at 8:36AM
Jasmine Powell

1God
1Aim
1Destiny
Up You Mighty Race! Accomplish what you will.
Sunday, April 25th 2010 at 11:21PM
Beka Shakur

very interesting commentary, i want to read more on Marcus garvey
Thursday, August 12th 2010 at 8:29AM
David sweet

Certainly read the "Philosophy and Opinions of Marcus Garvey" edited by his wife Amy Garvey and also any of the Garvey books writen/edited by Dr. Tony Martin. Garvey was so far ahead of his time that he had bought 3 hugh transport ships to begin doing international trade and to begin the process of Repatriating Africans back to Africa. The Honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey was the impetus for Elijah Muhammad, Martin, Malcom and all who followed him. Peace & Blessings be on his Imortal Soul
Friday, August 13th 2010 at 8:57AM
Clifford sykes

Mr. Sykes,
Thank you for your passinate response concerning the reputation of Mr. Garvey. I am just learning of his work, philosophy and passion myself. Please know that much work has to be done in the redeeming of our young people, back to our history. We have over time, become a blended culture, and basically popularized by our environment. We had this discussion last night in Bible Study, with a renewed passion to gain and in some cases, redeem the purest of our history via reading, seeking and most of all, acknowledging God in our plight to gain the truth about our history. Patience, forebearance and most of all love is needed to pull us back up to where we were at one time, and to establish our building for the future. Continue to share your passion, knowledge and love with others. One by one, many will be enlightened and empowered!
Thursday, December 30th 2010 at 6:59AM
Pamela Mattox